Window structure



Aug. 5, 1958 A. 8. PLACE WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed April 2, 1956 INVENTOR.4A/024-W 5. P4405 A TTOE/Vfi 71 WINDOW STRUCTURE Andrew S. Place, SouthBend, Ind. Application April 2, 1956, Serial No. 575,588

This invention relates to improvements in window structures, and moreparticularly to improvements in hinged window structures.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a construction of thischaracter which provides a positive and-continuousweather seal aroundtheentire margin of the window, which seal is effected by uniform pressureand is uniformly effective.

A further object is to rovide a novel hinge construclion which concealsthe hinge and assures llnifo'ffili'ty of hin-gi'ng at alltimes,is'protected so as to exclude dirt and 'ice,"t'o 'i'n'sure free and easyoperation, and to avoid damage due to wracking of the sash as commonlycaused in priorstructures upo'nrelease from a stuck condition ofthe-sash.

A further' object is to provide a window structure of this characterhaving a novel hinge construction accommodating release of the windowsash from the window frame without requiring the use of toolswhe'n thesash is open and resisting release when 'the sash is in closed position.

, Afurtner object is to provide a window structure of this character,wherein the window frame has integrally formed therein partsconstituting flashing, a drip cap, decorative trim, and 'a concealedhinge socket which accommodates uniform hinging action of asash thereinand eliminates problems of assembly of parts.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specificatiou.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the window structure assembly with partsbroken away;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view taken-on -line5of Fig. 1, and illustrating the structure in closed position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail sectional view similar to Fig. 2 andillustrating the window in open position and in condition fordisassembly;

vFig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detail view of a modifled embodiment,with parts broken away; M

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is ahorizontal sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectionalview illustrating a constructionof a sealing element employed in the window structure.

Referring to the drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the numeral 10 designates awindow frame which is formedof top and bottom rails 12 and upright stiles 14. The rails and stiles12 and 14 are preferably formed of substantially the same crosssectionalshape or configuration and preferably are formed in the shape of metalangles, as illustrated. The ends of the rails and stiles are miter'ed orbeveled and are suitably secured together, as by welding along saidbeveled edges 16, as seen in Fig. 4. In the preferred crosssectionalconfiguration ofthe parts 12 and 14, 'w'ebs 18 project inwardly of theframe in substantially coplanar 2,845,665 Patented Aug. 5, 1958 icerelation, and flanges 20 project perpendicularly from the webs 18 at theouter margin of the frame. The frame parts are preferably molded, castor extruded from'metal, are of uniform cross-section throughout, 'andarepreferably formed of aluminum or other metal not subject to rust orcorrosion. Apertures 22 may be formed "in the frame webs 18 foranchoring the frame to 'a building structure (not shown);Similaropehings '22 may 'also be formed in flanges 20 of the framemembers. In "the preferred form, each of the angle members forming theframe has inner face 24 of theflange 20 thereof extending in an obtuseangle to the adjacent web '18 and at a slight angle to the outer surfaceof the flange 20. Also,'the corner defined by the junction of the webs18 and flanges 20 of the frame members is preferably cut 'away'at 26.

The frame is completed by a cap member extending across the top of theframe and 'securedthereto, as by means of securing screws 32screw-threaded in the apertures 22 in the top rail '20 of the frame. Thecap 39 has a flashing flange 34 extending perpendicularly therefromformed integrally therewith and 'a'dapted'to extend flush with the webs18 of the frame. For this purpose a projection 36 is formed at thejuncture of the cap 31) and the flashing flange 34in the plane of theflashing flange to'seat in the recess 26 of the frame. A hook member 38is preferably formed integrally with the cap 3t) to fit around the freemargin of the flange 20 of the top rail. The hook 38, the projection 36"the securing members 32 cooperate to positively and fixedly anchor thecap 30 to the frame. The cap 30 terminates in a downwardly extendingarcuate or tubular-portion"40 preferably extending full length of thecap which in turn preferably extends full length of the top rail of thewindow frame. The front projecting terminal portion 1'40 defines alongitudinal tubular bore 42 of substantially 270 deg. in extent, havinga mouth or slot 72 opening downwardly andinwardly, as best seen in Figs.2, 3 and 5.

Window sash fits within'the window frame with clearance insofar asspacing of the various parts -thereof from the frame flanges 20 isconcerned. The sash has a frame consisting of an upper rail portion '52,a lower rail portion 5 1, and side rail portions 56. Each of the sashframe parts is substantially of U'sh'ape in crOss Sec'tion, preferablybeing formed as a metal extrusion orca'sti'ng, although there is aslight addition to the top sash 52 which will be described. Each or thesash frame "parts includes a channel w'eb portion 55 and spacedpa'ral'lel integral outer flange 57 and inner flange 5S. The 'spa'c'ingof the flanges 57 and 58 is determined by the thickness 'of the windowpane to be mounted thefein. Thus, 'a single thickness window pane 51 isshown in Fig. l, and a 'do'uble pane unit of the thermally sealed typeis shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6. The double pane unit consists 'ofspaced panes 6i) and a continuous marginal spacer "62 between said panesand bonded thereto to provide a dead air space between the panes. AU-shaped gasket 64 fits snugly and sealingly around the margin of'thepane and preferably has one or more continuous marginal ribs 66projecting outwardly from each side thereof to sealingly engage theinner surfaces of the adjacent flanges 57 and 58. Ribs 66 are of a depthto hold the window pane in the sash without stressing the pane and forthe further purpose of providing an effective weather tight seal betweenthe pane and the window sill. Flanges 67 preferably project from seal 64to lap the edges of the sash. The various sash parts 52, 54 and'56 arepreferably formed separately and have mitered or beveled edges 68 atwhich the sash elements are welded orotherwise secured together. Theoverall dimension of the sash will be such as to provide clearance inthe window frame, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. I

The upper sash rail 52 has a neck or web poiftion 70 projectinglongitudinally forwardly or outwardly therefrom, the same being of athickness substantially less than the width of the groove or slot 72formed in the tubular hinge socket portion 40, 42 of the cap 30. Anenlarged elongated knuckle portion or hinge part 74 projects from theouter part of the neck 70, the same being of substantially circularcross-sectional shape for an extent preferably greater than 180 deg. andless than 270 deg, and being interrupted by a longitudinal concavesurface 76.

The maximum transverse dimension of the hinge part 74 as measuredbetween its convex surface and the opposed concave surface 76 will beslightly less than the width of the groove or slot 72 of the hingesocket 40 to accommodate passage of the hinge part 74 through the mouth72 when the sash is held at a predetermined angle to the frame,approximately as illustrated in Fig. 3. Such withdrawal or disassemblyof the parts and reassembly can be accomplished rapidly by manualmanipulation. It will be apparent that the termination of the curvedsocket portion 40 at 43 substantially vertically aligned with the axisof socket 42 permits it to support the hinge knuckle 74 in an openposition without danger of dislodgment unless manipulated inpredetermined manner. The knuckle 74 preferably is shorter in lengththan the cap member 30, as seen in Fig. 4, and terminates spaced fromthe ends of the hinge socketforming portion 40. Any suitable means maybe provided to center the sash 50 relative to the frame 10. For thispurpose I prefer to employ a stop 73 secured to knuckle 74 by securingmeans 75, such as a machine screw, and received loosely in a notch orslot 77 formed in the hinge socket 40. Stop 73 also serves to limitpivoting of the sash to an angular extent less than necessary to permitwithdrawal of knuckle 74 through slot 72 as shown in Fig. 3. However,the stop is readily removed to permit the swing of the sash to releaseposition. An alternative means to prevent end play of knuckle 74constitutes self-tapping screws 78 screwthreaded in the ends of thesocket bore 42 to engage the ends of the knuckle 74 within the socket42, as seen in Fig. 4.

The inner flange 58 of each of parts 52, 54 and 56 of the sash has agroove 80 formed in its face confronting the frame web 18. Groove 80 ispreferably a dovetail groove or a groove of any desired shape wider atits bottom or inner part than at its mouth. A seal extends lengthwise ofeach member of the sash, being anchored by the groove 80. The seal maybe of any construction desired. One form of the seal is illustrated inFig. 7, wherein a sheet metal base 82 has return bent side portions 84adapted to clamp marginal parts 86 of a flexible sealing member 88,preferably of substantially U-shape. Member 88 is preferably formed of aresilient material, such as rubber, synthetic rubber, or a syntheticresin such as a vinyl chloride copolymer or polyethylene. Another formof seal is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, wherein a tubular rubber orsynthetic resin seal 90 has flanges or ribs 92 formed integrallytherewith and adapted to anchor in undercut inner portions of the groove80. In Fig. another type of seal element 94 is shown, which is a solidmember and is formed of soft and yielding material, such as mohair orother piled fibrous material, or rubber which is readily compressible.In each construction the seal is anchored in the dovetail or undercutgroove 80. In each type, the seal is pressed uniformly and continuouslyagainst the web 18 of the frame throughout its full extent around theentire margin of the window sash when the sash is in closed positionspaced from said web 18.

Any suitable means (not shown) may be provided for locking the window inits closed position and for supporting the same in different angularadjustments when open.

In the assembled closed position of the window illustrated in Figs. 1, 2and 5, the sealing strip carried by the outer marginal portion of theinner flanges S8 of the window sash extends continuously therearound andcontinuously engages with substantially uniform pressure the surface ofthe web portions 18 of the window frame, thereby providing a positiveweathertight seal between the sash and the frame. The upper portion ofthe window is protected by the overhanging arcuate marginal portion 40of the cap 30, so that moisture, snow and dirt is substantially excludedfrom the clearance space between the top rails of the frame and thesash, best seen in Figs. 2 and 5. The clearance space between the sashand frame at the sides thereof as illustrated in Fig. 6, and at thebottom as illustrated in Fig. 5, are not detrimental because they drainreadily. Thus any collection of snow or ice at those spaces is exteriorof the seal 88, or or 94 in each case and is subject to drainage orrelease by gravity at the sides and to easy manual removal at thebottom. Removal of ice and dirt at the bottom is facilitated by theinclination of the upper surface of the web 20 of the bottom rail 12 ofthe window frame. The sash and the the frame are spaced in their closedposition so that no difliculties due to inaccurate fit or shape ofcontacting parts are encountered.

The weight of the sash is supported by the cap 30 at the outer portion40 thereof, and this weight is easily sustained by reason of themechanical interlock of the cap 30 with the frame 10 at the hook portion38 and the projection 36 and the mechanical anchorage thereof bysecuring members 32. It is also interesting to observe that no leakagecan occur as a result of the formation of apertures 22 in the flanges 20of the frame parts because the same are located exteriorly of the seal.Insofar as openings 22 in the web portions 18 are concerned, they arepreferably formed inwardly of the seal, as best illustrated in Fig. 2.

Upon swinging of the sash to open position, the weight of the sashcontinues to be transmitted to the frame 10 through the hinge parts 40and 74. The hinge construction is so sealed and protected as to insureagainst sticking because foreign material is excluded from the hingesocket 42. In this connection, the screw members 78, when employed,close the ends of the sockets 42, and the slot 72 in the tubular cappart 40 is positioned lowermost so that dirt, snow and ice which mightbe expected to obstruct or clog an opening in the hinge socket will falltherefrom by gravity. This provides a protected hinge construction witha longitudinally uniform hinge bearing which is substantially free fromsticking caused by dirt, ice or snow. In cases using the stop 73, theends of the hinge socket are open to drain rain, etc. entering thesocket 40 at notch 27. Consequently, opening movement of the window isalways free, and it is never necessary to wrack the sash or otherwiserisk breakage of the glass in order to open the window.

One of the important characteristics of the device resides in theintegral formation of the flashing, the drip cap, and the concealedhinge at the outer portion of the drip cap. This formation is effectiveto prevent leakage and simplifies construction, assembly andinstallation. Also, the unitary formation of the frame and the hingesocket, the integral formation of the window sash and the hinge knuckle,and the flexible projecting nature of the seal strips, assure uniformityof fit and seal of windows and eliminate the necessity for specialfitting of a window sash to a window frame incident to assembly.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be understood that changes in the construction may bemade within the scope of the appended claims without departing from thespirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A window frame unit adapted to dependingly and hingedly support awindow frame, comprising a frame having top and bottom rails uprightstiles, said rails and stiles being angle members and having coplanarconnected webs and connected flanges projecting perpendicularly from theouter marginal portions of said webs, the top rail being cut away at thecorner between said web and flange, a cap member extending substantiallyfull length of said top rail, a flashing flange extending upwardly fromsaid cap in substantially coplanar relation to said frame webs, aprojection on said cap member seating in said frame cut out, said capprojecting beyond the flange of the top rail and terminating in a sashmounting hinge socket, and means securing said cap to said top framerail flange.

2. The construction defined in claim 1, and hook carried by said cap andengaging the free edge of the flange of said top frame rail.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Gileset a1. May 7, 1918 Potter Dec. 12, 1932 Stahl Nov. 15, 1938 Holt et a1Dec. 6, 1938 May Iuly 8, 1941 Wagner Nov. 2, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS GreatBritain Dec. 9, 1953

